The signs and symptoms of meningitis in adults and children over 2 years of age appear suddenly and are initially characterized by high fever, above 39ºC, and severe headache, which makes it easier to confuse the disease with a common flu..
This disease can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites, and the severity and treatment vary according to the cause of the disease, with bacterial meningitis being the most severe form of the disease.
The most common way to get meningitis is to contact people who are infected, and it is important to be aware of the appearance of the following symptoms:
- High and sudden fever; Headache strong and difficult to pass; Nausea and vomiting; Pain and difficulty in moving the neck; Dizziness and difficulty in concentration; Mental confusion; Difficulty in resting the chin on the chest; Sensitivity to light and noise; Drowsiness and tiredness; Lack of appetite and thirst.
In addition, red spots or rocks may appear on the skin of varying sizes, which characterize meningococcal meningitis, a serious form of the disease. See more details about this form of the disease here and find out which tests are necessary to know if it is meningitis and what type it is.
When to go to the doctor
As soon as the symptoms of fever, nausea, vomiting and very severe headache appear, you should see your doctor for tests and check the cause of the problem.
Meningitis is diagnosed from blood tests and cerebrospinal fluid, which is the fluid that is present in the spine. These tests allow us to know the type of disease and the most appropriate treatment. See how treatment is done for each type of disease.
